There's a new fuel-efficient model joining the European market Honda Civic hatchback's range, one which is equipped with the Japanese brand's freshly revealed 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel engine.

Following its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September and before it goes on sale in January of 2013, Honda announced pricing for the 1.6 i-DTEC Civic that starts from £19,400 (equal to US$31,100 or €24,200) for the base SE model, rising to £20,595 for the ES and £23,175 for the top-of-the-range EX.

Developed exclusively for Europe and built alongside the Civic hatch itself at Honda’s factory in Swindon, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel unit offers a maximum output of 118HP (120PS) at 4,000 rpm and 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm.

It drives the front wheels of the compact model through a six-speed manual gearbox, with Honda quoting a combine fuel economy of 78.5mpg UK (equal to 3.6lt/100km or 65.3 mpg US) while emitting only 94 g/km, which in Britain, translates to free road tax. The same powertrain will be offered in 2013 on the European CR-V as well.

Standard features on all trim variants of the 1.6 i-DTEC model are identical to the equivalent 2.2-litre i-DTEC cars, but with the addition of new 16-inch alloy wheels.